Inventions of the Middle Ages, Term Paper Example

Introduction

The 11^th and 14^th centuries are known as the age of invention and discoveries. The ideas of civilization are gotten from the events that took place during the middle ages and the renaissance of culture in the coming years. The inventions that took place in middle ages impacted greatly on mankind. The lifestyle of man changed completely there was need for societal corporation to provide labor needed in production of agricultural products. From the invention of new agricultural tools, development in artillery, printing press, and compass to astronomy all had great impact on population of the time. These inventions led to increased population, discovery of new places due to enhancement in maritime navigation and weapons that were used to conquer other nations and empires.

Development of agricultural tools

Medieval agriculture was based on unfenced lands ad fields unlike today where agriculture is situated on family lands that are protected by fences. Agricultural technology was developed in that villages were organized on how to carry out there activities depending on prevailing climatic conditions. The peasant farmers did not apply manufactured fertilizers on there crops but they depended on natural fertilizer. During this time, technologies developed in Europe that transformed the world of agriculture in a positive manner. There was the development of agricultural tools that had to increase production. This was necessary because of the increasing population and the need to change life. The plough was seen to be the important development of the middle age. The history of plough dates back to Neolithic age where it as pulled by a number of oxen teams. This invention led to clearing of the fertile lands in Europe (Blanchard & Cerisier, 62-67).

Earlier it was difficult to break the virgin lands and people were limited in cultivation this reduced the population of the society. Eventually when the plough was invented, there was increase in agricultural production because more land was cultivated and this led to subsequent increase in population of the society.  More so, the use of plough changed the way crops were grown in medieval Europe this was as result of use three field rotational systems as compared to early one of two field rotational systems.   Due to this, half of the cultivated land was planted every year, unlike the two field system where land was planted only once. Under the new field system, most of the crops planted during spring were legumes thereby increasing the nutrition value of the people living in Europe. In addition, there was development and use of heavy plough that revolutionized agriculture (Matthews, 80-86).

Furrows were made that provided drainage system for land use. These development in agricultural technologies brought social adjustments as there was need to come together to pull the resources therefore social cooperation was inevitable. At the end, it led to social civilization of the land. The use of iron tools in agricultural production increased productivity because of the use of iron implements. Development of agricultural tools at this time facilitated the use of wet and dry periods annually. The result was that there was maximum harvest because no land was left lying fallow. He local population relied heavily on agriculture as form of employment thus they were able to sustain there families and the ruling class. Gallows were built on lands that were located near the river banks to avoid soil erosion this was facilitated by advanced agricultural techniques in turn, farming methods were improved. The advanced agricultural techniques gave way for the farmers to work in different profession apart from agriculture. This move gave way to frequent food supply to the population. The increase in population led to urbanization and growth of towns like Rome and Venice (Grigsby, 90-94).

Invention of weaving and textile industry

Agriculture was the main work of the people during the 11^th and 14^th centuries. With the onset of mechanization, fertilization and other new techniques that we see them as normal did not exist. Production of food was done by a large group of people in society. In the craft industry, cloth making was a priority. Due to cloth making, first industrialization took place during these middle ages.

Early times, textile works were done at home where man main weaver while the woman was specialized in spun yarn for the loom.  All this was woven by hand and the main raw material was wool, cotton, silk and linen. These materials needed corporation of many people. Manufacturing skills and techniques were poor. The activity consumed more time and it was tiring to an extend that many spinners were needed to supply one weaver. Initially, the process of weaving was difficult since the first looms were vertically used. But in 12^th century, the horizontal looms were used that enabled the weaver to do his or her work while sited (Gies, 71-74).

Manufacturing of cotton was as result of new technology from the Muslims. The knowledge of weaving cotton was wide spread in Sicily and Spain, Silk was also used during the medieval ages. During the 11^th and 14^th centuries, textile industry was led by guilds whose main task was to regulate the work of craft. The products were sold to markets and this generated some profit for them thus transforming there standard of living.

During the 13^th century, spinning wheel was invented that improved spinning of cotton in textile industry. This meant that threat could be spun faster thus increasing productivity.  During the 14^th century, textile industry began to experience changes that were as a result of social transformation that took place in earlier years. Initially, Europe was overpopulated. Climatic changes led to poor harvest and massive food shortage. This situation was made worse with warfare and its negative aftermath. These events had a negative impact on societal economic life since population decreased and at the end land became cheaper and affordable (Frugoni & Mccuarg, 46-50).

The transformations in society meant that people had to shift there way of farming in order to adapt to new changes in society. Many people shifted to sheep farming. This type of farming led to development of new form of textile production in England. In addition, the new system was put in place called the putting out system which replaced factory production of textiles. Initially, the workers used to work while in their own house but with these developments, they moved to a centralized factory where they worked for longer hours because there work was regulated by workers guilds. At this time industrialization of textile industry has reached its peak and it was revolutionizing the society.

Invention of compass

Compass is a device used in determining direction during navigation on earth’s magnetic poles. The main components of a compass include a pointer marked north end and it is aligned on earth’s magnetic field. The invention of transformed the lifestyle of people since it improve d there safety and efficiency during travel especially in air and on ocean.

During early times before the invention of compass, direction and destination to the ocean was mainly determined by viewing the signs of landmarks and observing the celestial bodies. Early navigators used to be keen in sighting the landmarks. With the onset of compass, things changed for the better as navigation was made easy. It was now possible to trace the position of celestial bodies in the sky even in the presence of mist and fog without any difficulty. These made it easy to calculate latitudes thus enabling the sailors and Mariners to navigate safely to other parts of the world. The impact of there journey was that there was spread of ideas, increased sea trade and more discoveries in new lands far from home (Mcnamer, 40-52).

Apart from being used in navigation, compass was used in building and construction. For example, in Denmark some of the early churches were rotated by a compass. These churches were constructed in 12^th century thus showing the evidence of magnetic compasses being in use in Europe during this time. Compass was also used in mining industry to determine how to tunnel and describe how the mining process was to occur. In astronomy, the astronomical compasses were used in determining meridian. In addition, there was development in the the ship were constructed that paved way for new way of transportation system that made traversing and navigating the ocean more easy. The use of triangular sail allowed the boat to sail using blowing this meant that the usual way of waiting in the port for favorable wind before the could be allowed to sail was long gone. Then came the stern post rudder which enabled the navigators to have more control of there ship. The idea was that the larger the rudder the bigger the amount of cargo the ship could transport. Also the ships were no longer restricted on which days of the year to sail. The impact of this invention was that Europe’s economic growth was increased due to commercial activities that were taking place at the port (Matthews, 95-101).

Although the compass transformed the world, it had its own limitations whereby it is rigid and very close to the equator that is not near the magnetic field. When the compass is moved closer, it crosses the magnetic field of earth thus it will point to a wrong direction. Also compasses are unreliable in that they may indicate a wrong direction because of magnetic inclination when the north poles are moved closer. The compass is also liable to turning mistakes. When pointing east or west, the compass will be sluggish in turning or may be in front during the turn.

In the field of astronomy, it enabled people to know the climatic conditions. It was now possible to tell when the rain was to begin. This astronological development led to realization of the calendar and clocks system in Europe. People were in a position to get information about the movement of heavenly bodies and determine the agricultural seasons (Grigsby, 52-58).

Invention of artillery 14^th century

The important invention in history of warfare is the correct use and application of gun powder that is to propel missile. The early sources show that the invention of artillery was as a result of the need to protect nation’s territories and keep away foreign invaders. The first artillery to be developed in history includes the use of crude cannon. This weapon was placed on a cannon or ship when the mariners were on there exploration mission.

The firing and loading of this artillery to some extend limited there effectiveness in sieges until gun barrel from molten iron were used to make strong weapons. Castillon was artillery that was invented in France at these times. It utilized the gun powder to higher speed as seen from its effects on the war field. In addition, portable guns were developed just after the cannons had been developed (Krebs, 64-70).

The man handling the gun had to use a hot wire to a hole in the loaded barrel and move far away from the place of explosion. Development of new artillery changed the society such that empires and nations started demonstrating their military prowess by conquering and controlling other nations. The aftermath f this conquest was that there was spread of new ideas, exploitation of resources, increased trade and demand of human slavery.

Invention of Printing Press

A printing press can be described as any mechanical gadget that functions in a manner that when pressure is applied on an inked surface, it rest upon such medium as a piece cloth or paper thus stamping an image. The first mechanical system engaged was made in German by Johann Gutenberg in 15^th century and he was the first man in Europe to develop printing press.

The invention of printing press had positive impact on people and the world as people saw it as an influential event during that epoch. The innovation of printing press influenced the reformation movement of Protestants in Germans n that martin Luther King was able to print his thesis on religious matters and take to people to read. This changed the conception of people towards the authority the church during the reformation period (Gilbert, 14-25).

The changes in economic, social and ideological spheres may have led to invention of printing press. Economically, Europe was experiencing high level of economic production of surplus goods. Ideologically, there was need to for a new civilized society, so this was influenced by the aspirations of the middle class men and bourgeoisies who wanted to fill the economic aspirations that had taken root. In addition, there was social factor that was driven by the fact that decline in landed aristocracy could give way to emergence of urban merchants.

During the renaissance period, Gutenberg’s printing techniques spread rapidly in Europe and the entire world. Its impact was that it replaced the old versions of printing in block hence making it most movable printing press type. It is argued that some of the motivational factors that made Johann to come up with printing press was diffusion of new technologies from Asia especially china (Gilbert, 41-57).

The Chinese invented paper printing. More so, there was an increasing demand by Europeans for lower cost of paper books instead of the existing expensive parchment books. In addition the need of these books was facilitated by the desire of growing level of literacy among the middle class people and students in Western Europe. During this time, renaissance was in its early stages of development and the population was removing slowly the clergy’s monopolization on literacy.

The prevailing economic condition and development of socio-cultural aspects inspired Gutenberg to invent printing press. In Europe, there existed an entrepreneurship mood among the people because of emergence of capitalism as a new mode of production this in turn fostered economic thinking and the desire to improve on traditional work process. The emergence of medieval literacy and among the middle class men, made demand in books to rise while the hand copying method could not supply enough books to people. This scenario made the decentralized states to grant freedom to citizens to access individual solutions without restrictions from the political and religious bodies.

Technological factors may have inspired Gutenberg to invent printing press. Medieval products and technological methods had evolved rapidly which paved way for the use of printing purposes. Johann took up far flung strand and linked it into one complete and functioning unit thus perfecting thee printing process and by including his own ideas. The invention of printing is the second phase in communication system that has revolutionized the world.

The invention of movable printing types has led to explosion of printing activities both in Europe and the whole world. In addition, this printing press was a major step towards scientific invention since the scientists communicated at ease with what they had discovered through the use of printed handouts, journals and other materials thus enhancing scientific revolution. More so, authoring of books was meaningful and with positive returns (Krebs, 20-26).

It was very possible to know who has written what and on which date hence giving room for easy reference. This helped in disseminating of ideas and information. In addition this innovation can be said to be the greatest innovation ever because the printing press led to free knowledge in society. For instance the classical canon was reprinted within a period of sixty years. This type of printing not only brought revolution but it also contributed to production of journals and books leading to emergency of sciences, religion and arts through text transmission. This invention was a great achievement during the middle ages.

Conclusion

All in all, the 11^th and 14^th centuries witnessed massive discoveries. The inventions that were made in science and technology were great in that it was easy for the farmers to know which times of the year to plant there crops. More so, man was able to monitor the movement of heavenly bodies. This gave him the knowledge to come up with navigational program since he was equips with the calendar on how activities were to be unfolded. Despite these positive impacts on society, these inventions perpetuated warfare because of development of new weapons of fighting.

Works cited

Bryon, Grigsby. Misconceptions about middle ages. Fulham: T & F books U.K, 2009.

Clive, Gilbert.1000 Years of Famous People. Cape Town: Kingfisher Publishers,  2002

David, Mathews.The invention of the middle English. An Anthropology of sources.London: Brepols publishers, 2000.

Gies, Frances. Cathedral, forge and waterwheel. Technology and invention in the middle ages. Manchester: Harpercollins publishers, 1994.

Blanchard, Anne & Cerisier, Emmanuel. Arabs science and invention in the Golden age. London: Heinmann publishers, 2000.

Mcnamer, Sarrah. Affective meditation and invention of medieval compassion. Pennsylvannia: University of Pennsylvannia press, 2009.

Frugoni, Chiara & Mccuaig, William. Invention of the middle ages.London: Folio society, 2007.

Krebs, Robert. Ground breaking scientific experiment, Inventions and discoveries of the middle ages and the renaissance.New york: Green wood Press, 2004.